Hydroxychloroquine- No more from Zentiva..help! - LUPUS UK

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Hydroxychloroquine- No more from Zentiva..help!

Kaiser10 profile image
21 Replies

Hi,

I have taken Hydroxychloroquine for a number of years and only experienced problems when I was prescribed Quirinic. Apparently the coating of the tablet Gave me a bad stomach and a constant nausea.

I found the Zentiva brand suited me but I've just found out from my GP that Zentiva no longer produce Hydroxychloroquine.

Has anybody else had to try another brand and found it to be ok?

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Kaiser10
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21 Replies
suzannah16 profile image
suzannah16

I think it's a money problem. I have seen so many posts about this on a few websites and zentiva have said they are still making hydroxy but pharmacies are all coming up with different excuses as to why they can no longer get it. no one seems to care about us, the patients. I can only take zentiva too, the others give me severe migraines which don't go away while until I stop the tablets.

Kaiser10 profile image
Kaiser10 in reply to suzannah16

Thanks Susannah.

Yes it's a shame it comes down to cost. I honestly didn't believe my Pharmacy when they said they couldn't source it but my GP then stated Zentiva have stopped their production of it. I'm going to ask my rheumatologist at my next visit what they recommend. To be honest going Hydroxychloroquine free might be better than suffering the side effects with a new brand!

Take care.

suzannah16 profile image
suzannah16 in reply to Kaiser10

might be worth writing to zentiva and getting proof they still make it, then show the letter to your Dr or pharmacist.

Cariow1 profile image
Cariow1

My son had this issue a year ago .We found that Lloyd’s Pharmacy will not source it but have had no problem getting it through Boots . It is still available

Flueby profile image
Flueby

I use quinoric and mepacrine but the later is off licence and difficult to get...can only get prescription from hospital consultant nit gp and source from boots pharmacy but can take up to 4 weekso to get in. Hope that helps..I cope with both x

Bessy01 profile image
Bessy01

Same here had to stop taking them suffered with severe stomach problems they try and tell you they are no different same ingredients they say tell that to my stomach. Frustrated 😡

Wee1kirby profile image
Wee1kirby in reply to Bessy01

I got my prescription last week. Didn’t specify brand as just starting drug but was hoping for Zentiva and that’s what I was given - that was from a Lloyd’s pharmacy in Scotland.

Hi everyone I had same problem with Quinoric and now use Black Rock which Boots can get for me. It’s absolutely fine! LupusUK wrote this article:

lupusuk.org.uk/hydroxychlor...

Barbara17 profile image
Barbara17

I picked up my repeat supply of Zentiva yesterday from Cohen’s Pharmacy chain. My prescription specifies Zentiva and the pharmacist has asked me to allow another day or so to give them time to get it in so it is definitely available. I think it is a cost thing as GP surgeries try to save money.

soootired profile image
soootired

I can't take quinoric either, like awrigo, I take BlackRock and have never had any problems. It's a yellowish colour tablet and has no taste. It IS still a generic, but the "recipe" is different to quinoric and other generic brands who's tablets are white and taste vile. The fact that most generics taste so unpleasant to me suggests that the coating is not up to scratch which is why so many of us have tummy problems with them. Whereas as I said, BlackRock taste fine, so have a good "gastro protecting" coating like zentiva.

My pharmacist tells me the cost of BlackRock is the same as quinoric, so it's worth asking yours about perhaps?

Hunibee profile image
Hunibee

Hi, I've just had my repeat prescription and it was still Zentiva that I was given. Nothing has been said about it not being available. I live in Edinburgh. Take care.x

Lupiknits profile image
Lupiknits

Like others, I’ve had Black Rock with no problems. There seems to be plenty of it. Is it worth a try?

Kaiser10 profile image
Kaiser10

Thanks everyone for your advice. Might try Black rock if I'm going to have this struggle everytime to get Zentiva.

KELC profile image
KELC

Definitely get your gp practice to put zentiva brand only on the prescription and this should help as its showing that your gp is agreeing to having this brand. This is what I've done and it's worked everytime. Wishing you all the best and hope you get sorted xxx

Kaiser10 profile image
Kaiser10 in reply to KELC

Thank you xx

chrisj profile image
chrisj

My local pharmacist rang (its some time ago) to say they were having problems getting plaquenil as stated on my repeat prescription but promised to keep looking. She rang me again the same day to assure me they'd found a supplier. Huge relief from me as quinoric didn't suit me either. I don't know who the supplier was.

I've just started ordering from Pharmacy2u, placed my second order today. I've checked the hydroxy from the last order and its Zentiva!!! They are still making the stuff. Pharmacy2u might be worth trying Kaiser....

Kaiser10 profile image
Kaiser10 in reply to chrisj

Thank you. I'm going to give them a try.

misty14 profile image
misty14

Hi Kaiser

I'm having similar side effect problems with quinoric and thanks to reading all your replies have realised I was fine taking Blackrock tablets. So will be making sure I get this brand on my prescription. Boots had no problem getting it. Hope you get yours sorted out. Its bad enough being ill without having these extra drug worries. X

GloomyEeyore profile image
GloomyEeyore

I had the exact same problem with a large pharmacy. I got in touch with Zentiva and they told me that there is no problem. The pharmacy still refused to get it. I changed to a small, independent pharmacy. They originally said they couldn’t get it until I took in the e-mail Zentiva sent me. When the e-mail said there is no problem and gave details for the pharmacy to get it they couldn’t argue. I have had no problems sine. Here is the link to contact Zentiva.

zentiva.co.uk/contact

Paul_Howard profile image
Paul_HowardPartnerLUPUS UK

Hi Kaiser10 ,

I published an updated/improved article on our website about this yesterday. Please take a look as the information may be helpful for you - lupusuk.org.uk/hydroxychlor...

Kaiser10 profile image
Kaiser10 in reply to Paul_Howard

Hi Paul

I saw the article thanks. It's very useful and I'll be visiting my GP soon to discuss.

Sally

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